acherepo, your description is exactly as my father use to descibe it. As I stated, he was the projectionist here for a number of years, till its closing in the mid 60’s. He then went on to work at the State in Woodbridge, and opened the Jerry Lewis in Carteret in 1972, where I learned the trade. My uncle worked at the
Majestic in Perth Amboy, and for a short while after the State closed in 1971, my dad worked at the Royal in Perth Amboy.
Not to be a kill joy by any means, but mhvbear’s comment is exactly the reason why theatres like the Ziegfeld are in danger of going away forever. Brand new movie, just released a few days ago, and less than 100 people in an 1100+ seat theatre.
rcdt55b, I wish someday, this ol projectionist of almost 37 years could somehow pay a visit and see the projection booth. My wife works the Christmas show every year as a dresser for the Rockettes. I saw the show a few weeks ago, on the 8th. Great as always. I found myself several times looking back up to the portholes. I was 8 rows from the stage. Funny how you tend to do that when your a projectionist.
I hear you Bob. Ive always cared too much also, and now look where it got me. A projectionist with 37 years expierience and digital puts me out of work. I miss running film.
It hurts me to hear a great person like Bob have a dissappointing time at any film presentation. I know he gave me many thumbs up when I showed Jaws back in June at the Count Basie. I wanted to attend but was working a concert in Lakewood at the stadium. If my families situation was better I would love to be one of the projectionists here, having 37 years expierience, but my financial situation prohibits me at this time. Best of luck to Rob & Mitchell.
Looked like a rather nice drive in. Nice marquee. Sad to see another one biting the dust. Call me old fashioned, but I miss drive-ins, huge old movie palaces and 35mm film. All this progress, you can keep it.
Now lets hope they actually have someone who knows how to thread 70mm. I last ran 70mm myself back in 1989. Since then all these chains have gotten rid of union projectionists who knew how to do it and replaced them with managers and popcorn poppers. And if they are going to platter it, oh my, take your eye off it for one minute and you can splice the soundtrack backwards and not even realize it. I for one and going to sit back and wait for all the comments here and the Village East theatre page as well once the film starts.
I must say it is refreshing to see the passion for film here, especially 70MM. As a projectionist for the past 37 years, and who is in his waning days as a film projectionist (6 days a month) I do agree with TerryWade. I last ran 70MM in 1989, “The Abyss” and had show some others prior to that. But those theatres were all union projection staffed, and we all knew what we were doing. As Terry stated half these popcorn kids didnt even do 35MM correct, and that in part is what led to this whole digital fiasco. (Yes I realize there were other factors as well, such as print costs etc.) And as also stated, I think many theatres that had 70MM equipment have probably trashed it all by now. I myself have a pair of Century JJ2 sitting in my mom’s garage, but efforts to find a home for them the past few years have been futile at best. And they came from a theatre that had closed in the early 2000’s so work would be needed to get them up & running again. I hope this can begin a comeback for 70MM. We shall see.
Ed, somewhere here on CT, I saw an old studio ad someone posted for another theatre from the early/mid 70’s. Under Manhattan I remember was listed Loews Victoria 125th St. Maybe thats how the photographer meant to refer to it?
Being from New Jersey, this may seem to be a stupid question, but…in the movie “Valley Girl” (1983) they show a Sherman Oaks Galleria at the closing credits. Is this the same Sherman Oaks Galleria, or has it been remodeled or expanded.
I was in Ohio last week visiting, and went by this mall. The entire mall is closed and vacant including the theatre. Only store still in operation is the former JCPenney outlet store.
As someone who has worked continuously for the past 36 years in the industry, from single screen to multiplexes, I cant see how this theatre could ever be reopened. I know myself, I would never want to step foot in there. I think Cinemark should just cut their losses, and as sad and horrific this incident was, they should just level the complex and move on. Just one mans opinion.
Thank you Vito. Its how I was trained by my dad. Yes we all did have fun in the booths, and we have memories that no one today will ever have. I did good at City Center and it really wasnt bad. My back however had other ideas. Its been pretty good the past 3 or so years, but I never know when it will go out again. Im glad I had the pleasure to work with you for all those years. Take care.
Hi Vito. Hope all is well. Its Mark P. from the old Amboys and City Center. I just lost my job a month ago to digital. 36 years in the booth, along with the 55 my departed dad did isnt too bad I guess. Take care.
I have always said a nice 4 screen drive-in would look mighty nice on this spot. 2 larger screens by the river, 2 smaller ones by the old circle. Bet it would be a gold mine. Open it up from say early April till maybe Halloween.
I was working at the Prudential Center arena for the NBA draft about 2 weeks ago and passed both the Paramount and Adams Theatres in Newark. (Did not have time to get to the Proctors) The Paramount is indeed all boarded up. There is a dollar type of store in what looks to be the lobby of the Adams. If I am in town again (maybe July 20 – 21 for Jennifer Lopez concert) I will try to find out more on both venues.
An article in todays Star Ledger talks about this theatre and shows a picture of a 23 year old with the projector. They have 6000 foot reels and looks like a newer model simplex and xenon. I guess the old E-7 and Peerless have been put to rest. Also, the kid is holdind his cell phone while threading the projector. Its no wonder I’m out of a job after 36 years.
In looking at Ed Solero’s ad on the top of the page, I see 2 theatres in New Jersey that I actually worked at as a projectionist years ago. The Ritz in Elizabeth and the Royal in Perth Amboy, where my father also worked, and I was working the last day it was opened, July 13, 1988.
acherepo, your description is exactly as my father use to descibe it. As I stated, he was the projectionist here for a number of years, till its closing in the mid 60’s. He then went on to work at the State in Woodbridge, and opened the Jerry Lewis in Carteret in 1972, where I learned the trade. My uncle worked at the Majestic in Perth Amboy, and for a short while after the State closed in 1971, my dad worked at the Royal in Perth Amboy.
Not to be a kill joy by any means, but mhvbear’s comment is exactly the reason why theatres like the Ziegfeld are in danger of going away forever. Brand new movie, just released a few days ago, and less than 100 people in an 1100+ seat theatre.
rcdt55b, I wish someday, this ol projectionist of almost 37 years could somehow pay a visit and see the projection booth. My wife works the Christmas show every year as a dresser for the Rockettes. I saw the show a few weeks ago, on the 8th. Great as always. I found myself several times looking back up to the portholes. I was 8 rows from the stage. Funny how you tend to do that when your a projectionist.
Thats an expensive lease. Such a shame. I, along with my father worked as projectionists here in the late 70’s/early80’s.
Yup. Thats the Clearview I know, (and use to work for).
I hear you Bob. Ive always cared too much also, and now look where it got me. A projectionist with 37 years expierience and digital puts me out of work. I miss running film.
It hurts me to hear a great person like Bob have a dissappointing time at any film presentation. I know he gave me many thumbs up when I showed Jaws back in June at the Count Basie. I wanted to attend but was working a concert in Lakewood at the stadium. If my families situation was better I would love to be one of the projectionists here, having 37 years expierience, but my financial situation prohibits me at this time. Best of luck to Rob & Mitchell.
Oh how I wish Giles.
Looked like a rather nice drive in. Nice marquee. Sad to see another one biting the dust. Call me old fashioned, but I miss drive-ins, huge old movie palaces and 35mm film. All this progress, you can keep it.
Now lets hope they actually have someone who knows how to thread 70mm. I last ran 70mm myself back in 1989. Since then all these chains have gotten rid of union projectionists who knew how to do it and replaced them with managers and popcorn poppers. And if they are going to platter it, oh my, take your eye off it for one minute and you can splice the soundtrack backwards and not even realize it. I for one and going to sit back and wait for all the comments here and the Village East theatre page as well once the film starts.
I must say it is refreshing to see the passion for film here, especially 70MM. As a projectionist for the past 37 years, and who is in his waning days as a film projectionist (6 days a month) I do agree with TerryWade. I last ran 70MM in 1989, “The Abyss” and had show some others prior to that. But those theatres were all union projection staffed, and we all knew what we were doing. As Terry stated half these popcorn kids didnt even do 35MM correct, and that in part is what led to this whole digital fiasco. (Yes I realize there were other factors as well, such as print costs etc.) And as also stated, I think many theatres that had 70MM equipment have probably trashed it all by now. I myself have a pair of Century JJ2 sitting in my mom’s garage, but efforts to find a home for them the past few years have been futile at best. And they came from a theatre that had closed in the early 2000’s so work would be needed to get them up & running again. I hope this can begin a comeback for 70MM. We shall see.
Ed, somewhere here on CT, I saw an old studio ad someone posted for another theatre from the early/mid 70’s. Under Manhattan I remember was listed Loews Victoria 125th St. Maybe thats how the photographer meant to refer to it?
Zubi, if thats progress, then I think I’ll stick with old school.
Even after all these years, I miss this theatre. It was where I saw my very first movie and where my father worked for years till its closing.
Being from New Jersey, this may seem to be a stupid question, but…in the movie “Valley Girl” (1983) they show a Sherman Oaks Galleria at the closing credits. Is this the same Sherman Oaks Galleria, or has it been remodeled or expanded.
I was in Ohio last week visiting, and went by this mall. The entire mall is closed and vacant including the theatre. Only store still in operation is the former JCPenney outlet store.
As someone who has worked continuously for the past 36 years in the industry, from single screen to multiplexes, I cant see how this theatre could ever be reopened. I know myself, I would never want to step foot in there. I think Cinemark should just cut their losses, and as sad and horrific this incident was, they should just level the complex and move on. Just one mans opinion.
Thank you Vito. Its how I was trained by my dad. Yes we all did have fun in the booths, and we have memories that no one today will ever have. I did good at City Center and it really wasnt bad. My back however had other ideas. Its been pretty good the past 3 or so years, but I never know when it will go out again. Im glad I had the pleasure to work with you for all those years. Take care.
Hi Vito. Hope all is well. Its Mark P. from the old Amboys and City Center. I just lost my job a month ago to digital. 36 years in the booth, along with the 55 my departed dad did isnt too bad I guess. Take care.
I have always said a nice 4 screen drive-in would look mighty nice on this spot. 2 larger screens by the river, 2 smaller ones by the old circle. Bet it would be a gold mine. Open it up from say early April till maybe Halloween.
Opening header needs to be updated. The theatre was twinned in 1985 and was opened until at least 1990 if memory serves me.
I was working at the Prudential Center arena for the NBA draft about 2 weeks ago and passed both the Paramount and Adams Theatres in Newark. (Did not have time to get to the Proctors) The Paramount is indeed all boarded up. There is a dollar type of store in what looks to be the lobby of the Adams. If I am in town again (maybe July 20 – 21 for Jennifer Lopez concert) I will try to find out more on both venues.
An article in todays Star Ledger talks about this theatre and shows a picture of a 23 year old with the projector. They have 6000 foot reels and looks like a newer model simplex and xenon. I guess the old E-7 and Peerless have been put to rest. Also, the kid is holdind his cell phone while threading the projector. Its no wonder I’m out of a job after 36 years.
Unless someone else has taken over operation of this drive-in, status should be changed to “Closed”.
In looking at Ed Solero’s ad on the top of the page, I see 2 theatres in New Jersey that I actually worked at as a projectionist years ago. The Ritz in Elizabeth and the Royal in Perth Amboy, where my father also worked, and I was working the last day it was opened, July 13, 1988.